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THE STRAND DISTRICT, LONDON. 17
4 of the cases were between 2 and 5 years of age
4 „ „ „ 5 and 6 „
4 ,, ,, ,, 7 and 8 ,, ,,
4 ,, ,, 9 and 15,, „
The ages of the remaining 5 cases varied from 17
to 32.
11 cases were males, 20 females.
In 13 cases the source of infection was not traceable.
There were conditions of overcrowding associated
with 4 cases; of defective drains, stopped closets,
&c., with 14 of the cases. In two families second cases
occurred; inclusive of these direct infection was traced
in 7 cases.
Towards the end of the severe frost in the month of
March, it was found that the water-closets were stopped
up in a number of the poorer-class houses from the
want of water; while the frost lasted no great nuisance
arose, but when the thaw set in I was apprehensive that
danger to the public health might arise therefrom.
Under these circumstances it was deemed advisable to
thoroughly flush out the drains in such houses with the
hose. This was much appreciated by the inmates of
the houses in question, and it is interesting to note that
in only one of these houses has infectious disease of any
kind appeared during the year. In the excepted house
the closet and drain were several times wilfully
obstructed during the year.
I believe that defective drainage has a direct influence
in the production of certain throat affections.
Enteric Fever.—3,710 cases were notified in London
in 1895, with 614 deaths, being 17 below the corrected
average of the last 10 years. The death-rate was 014
per 1,000 inhabitants. In the Strand district, 9 cases
B